Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Samuel Ch.8 / 31 Ch.s
1SA:8
* The evil government of Samuel's sons. (1-3) The Israelites ask
for a king. (4-9) The manner of a king. (10-22)
#1-3 It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and
vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges, they turned
aside after lucre. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and
then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the
people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from
Nahash, king of the Ammonites.
#4-9 Samuel was displeased; he could patiently bear what
reflected on himself, and his own family; but it displeased him
when they said, Give us a king to judge us, because that
reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing
disturbs us, it is our interest, as well as our duty, to show
our trouble before God. Samuel is to tell them that they shall
have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request, but as
sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other times
he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring
glory to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by
men's foolish counsels.
#10-22 If they would have a king to rule them, as the eastern
kings ruled their subjects, they would find the yoke exceedingly
heavy. Those that submit to the government of the world and the
flesh, are told plainly, what hard masters they are, and what
tyranny the dominion of sin is. The law of God and the manner of
men widely differ from each other; the former should be our rule
in the several relations of life; the latter should be the
measure of our expectations from others. These would be their
grievances, and, when they complained to God, he would not hear
them. When we bring ourselves into distress by our own wrong
desires and projects, we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer,
and the benefit of Divine aid. The people were obstinate and
urgent in their demand. Sudden resolves and hasty desires make
work for long and leisurely repentance. Our wisdom is, to be
thankful for the advantages, and patient under the disadvantages
of the government we may live under; and to pray continually for
our rulers, that they may govern us in the fear of God, and that
we may live under them in all godliness and honesty. And it is a
hopeful symptom when our desires of worldly objects can brook
delay; and when we can refer the time and manner of their being
granted to God's providence.